Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 35925, David Ferguson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
10
Ferguson, David
S. 35925
CONTENTS

19.559.
Dist of Columbia
David Ferguson
of Washington Co in the Dist of Columbia who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Overton of the regiment commanded by Colonel Davis in the Virginia line, for the term of two years from the summer 1779 to 1781.
Inscribed on the Roll of Dist of Columbia at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 17 th day of January 1826
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 of Jan y 1826 and sent to Thomas G. St. John Esq. Clerk of the Auditor of Public Accounts
Arrears to 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar: 1826 $ 12.90
$ 12.90
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. } March 1826

17.863.
David Ferguson
Washington G. S. P.
Thomas H. H.
Agent
George Town S. P.
Recd 18 Jan 1876.

Original Claim.
Declaration, in order to be placed on the Pension List, under the Act of the 18th March, 1818.
County of Washington , District of Columbia
On this _____ day of July 1826, personally appeared in open court, (a) [being a court of record (b) for the district, circuit, county, or corporation, as the case may be,] David Ferguson
resident in said county, aged fifty five years, who,
being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the 18th March,
1818, and the 1st May, 1820: that he, the said David Ferguson
enlisted (c) for the term of  during the War in the Summer of 1779 in the state of Virginia
in the company (d) commanded by captain Boston in the regiment commanded by colonel David in the line of the state of Virginia
on the _____ continental establishment; that he continued to serve in
the said corps ( or regt ) until Nov: 1781 when he was discharged from the service, in York Town in the state of Virginia
that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present: that his name is not on the roll of any state, except Virginia ; and that
the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension: (e)
That until a year or two past I was able to support myself by my own labor and did not wish to be dependent on Government, as long as I could do so.
And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear, (or affirm, as the case may be,) that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. (f) That, since the 18th of March, 1818, the following
changes have been made in my property: (g) — No changes have been
made in my property. —  His  David Ferguson witness Bro. C. Beaswell
Sworn to and declared, on the 17th day of July before (h)
I William Brent Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the Court, that the said
David Ferguson did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath, (or affirmation) and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount, in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Seventy two — dollars and Twenty five cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and annexed the seal of the said Court, on this 17th day of January 1826.
Wm Brent Clerk of the Court of the District of Columbia for Washington County

  8 Chairs $11.50   3 small Mahogany Tables 10.00   4 fine Tables 4.00   1 set of Drawers (old) 1.00   Round Top + End Tables 2.00   5 Iron Beds 5.00   2 Dutch Ovens 2.00   1 Iron Skillet .50   1 Iron Tea Kettle .75   1 Cow & calf 12.00   2 Hogs (small) 2.25   1 looking Glass 3.00   a few cups & saucers 1.00   2 doz. Tumblers 1.50   10 Decanters 2.50   9 large and little 8.00   1 small tin case 2.00   Plates & Dishes 1.50   1 doz. Knives & Forks .75   a few old bottles 1.00   1 Wood 7.00   1 Walnut Wood 1.00   $72.25 
Also Mr. & Mrs. David Ferguson
By occupation - a labourer - able to work a little. My family consists of my wife, named Charlotte, and she can work a little. one son, aged eleven & two daughters one aged 22 the other 15 - the eldest daughter in bad health. - Not being able to support himself without the aid of private or public charity.

(a) Or, in case of disability, by reason of bodily infirmity, in lieu of "in open court," insert the words "before the Subscriber, a judge, (or justice, as the case may be,) of the court of," &c
(b) All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the act of Congress—
1st. Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the State which creates them;
2d. Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several States, to be courts of record :
3d. Which proceed, according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings ;
4th. Which have the power of fine and imprisonment.
And courts which proceed according to the course of the civil and canon law, having neither of these attributes, are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal. The court should, in every instance, state, on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of record, and state why it is such.
(c) If the claimant was an officer, he must here state what rank he held, and insert the word "entered," in lieu of "enlisted."
(d) If the claimant served in the Navy, he must here insert the name of the ship or vessel in which he sailed, and give the name of the captain or commander.
(e) Here give sufficient reason for not making earlier application for a pension.
(f) Here enumerate each article of real or personal estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, and subscribe the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the number and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their support, in order that the Department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent circumstances as to be entitled to the pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words of the 3d section of the act of the 1st May, 1820, "in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his country," comprehend those only who are incapable of supporting themselves without the aid of the Government, except by private or public charity.
(g) If any changes have been made, here insert an account of the property in the applicant's possession on the 18th March, 1818, and not now owned by him; of which that disposed of by sale will be in the following columns:
   Description of Property. Names of the Persons to whom disposed of. Time of Sale. Amount of Money or Description of Property received in return.          
If the property has been sold under execution, the certificate of the sheriff, or officer making the sale, must be produced; and the manner in which the debt originated, on account of which judgment was obtained, and execution issued, should be shown by the testimony of the plaintiff, who is required to swear as to the time at which the debt was contracted; and to state for what articles, the amount of them, and whether he believes that they were applied to the exclusive use and benefit of the defendant, or person claiming a pension. In every case where there has been a transfer of real estate, authenticated copies of the deed of conveyance should be exhibited; and where debts have been discharged, with the proceeds of the sale of any property, the evidence of the creditors, proving the fact, is required. The creditors should state, under oath, the time at which the debts were contracted, for what articles of property, the time when they were paid, and in what way. The application of all money should be clearly shown in like manner, by disinterested witnesses. The origin of every note, bond, or other obligation, for the payment of money, the fulfilment of a contract, or the discharge of a debt, either to, or from, the applicant, must be clearly shown, as well as the time and manner of discharging the same. The oaths of disinterested persons are required to show for what the obligations were given, for what amount, and at what time; and similar proof is required as to the discharge or cancelling of the same. Similar evidence is required in every case where property has been sold under a mortgage. The testimony of the mortgagee, as well as that of the mortgager, is required. Each should swear as to the manner in which the mortgage originated, showing the time of contracting the debt, for what consideration, and the amount thereof; and the mortgager must show how the money or property for which he became indebted, was applied. In cases where persons have held landed property, and have never had deeds for the same, the affidavits of public officers, competent to give testimony in such cases, are required. The official character and signature of the magistrate before whom the affidavits may be taken, should be certified, under seal of office, by the County Clerk, the Mayor of the City, the Secretary of State, or by such other officer as is required by the laws and usages of the State or Territory where the evidence is taken. The officer should certify that the magistrate is a Judge, Justice of the Peace, Alderman, or other officer, as the case may be, duly qualified to administer oaths, and that the signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
(h) Persons unable to appear in court, by reason of bodily infirmity, and who are permitted by the act of March 1, 1823, to take the oath before a Judge or Justice of a court of record, will, in addition to the oath in ordinary cases, swear that they are not able to attend personally in court, by reason of disease or bodily disability, as the case may be. Before the words "I                      clerk," &c. insert the following: "I a Judge, (or Justice,) of the Court of                      holden in the county of                      where the declarant resides, do hereby certify, that the abovenamed                      is, from a disease called the                      with which I am credibly informed, and believe, he has been afflicted, for the space of                      &c. unable to attend the court of which I am a Judge, (or Justice,) and I do not think, from present appearances, that he will be able to attend the court abovenamed, at its next session. I have, therefore, in pursuance of the act of Congress, of the 1st March, 1823, attended at his place of abode, and administered the foregoing oath. A B 'Judge,' &c. Then let the Clerk, in lieu of the usual certificate, write these words: "I,                      Clerk of the court of                      certify that before whom the above affidavit of                      who is now sick and confined to his house, was made, is Judge as aforesaid. I also certify, that the said schedule and oath have been admitted to the record of said court, and that the same are truly copied therefrom: and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is                      dollars and                      cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this                      day of                      182                      Clerk of the court for the                      of," &c.

Idols,
Riddle Penna
35 925
INVALID.
Rev
am
File No. 35 925
David Ferguson
Rev Penna
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: — Vol. 2, Page 185
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Dec. 8/97 Mrs. M. C. Re Pittsburg, Pa.
Jan. 29-98. Mrs. W. C. Pittsburg - E - E -
July 14 98 Miss E Flick Faremount Pa

Pittsburg - Nov. 17. 1897
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir
I would like to obtain the war record of David Ferguson a soldier of the Revolution who obtained a pension, for
He died in Pennsylvania Allegheny Co. in 1831.
Yours Respectfully
Mrs. N. G. Middle
213. 31 st Class St.
Pittsburg E.E. Pa.

our
Tarentum, Pa July 4, 1898.
Commissioner of Pensions -
Sir - Please send me the war record of David Ferguson, who served in the Revolutionary War and died in the year 1830 or 1831.
Address
Miss Eleanor Flick Tarentum Allegheny Co. Pa

Pittsburg Jan. 15 th 1898.
H. Clay Evans, Sir
Yours of the 15 th Dec-97 recd. In reply would say, The David Ferguson whose war record you gave is not the correct record of my Great-Grand father David Ferguson. His age at his death as given on his tombstone is. Died Jan 7 th 1831 in the ninety third (93 rd ) year of his age. He was a resident of Pa. near Pittsburg for Forty (40) yrs previous to his death. He was an Irishman by birth came to America before the Revolutionary war. From information received from my mother since I last wrote, I should think he was either an Aid-de-camp or Scout, under General Washington. He was entrusted with messages by General Washington. on one occasion met with an accident which rendered him lame for sometime, on that occasion General Washington presented him with a cane. This cane is prized very much and is in possession of my Uncle David Ferguson Hemphill, my mothers brother. He drew a pension for

some time. I do not know how long. He spent the last years of his life with his daughter, Mrs Mother's mother, and as a compensation for caring for him, he gave his pension to her. My mother was eleven yrs. of age at the time of his death. My Father, was 20 yrs of age at the time of his death and knew him well. My parents are both alive and are blest with the use of all their faculties. so I know I am not mistaken about David Ferguson being a soldier of the Revolution and receiving a pension. I might add that he was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. I am anxious to become a member of the Daughters of the Revolution.
Hoping to hear soon I remain
Yours --
Mrs. W. L. Riddle 313 St. Clair St Pittsburg E.E. Pa.